Why don't projects ever get finished?

I guess it's time to bare my soul and admit what I've done wrong over the years when it comes to projects.

From searching the HAMB I can find many threads on unfinished projects. Over the years I myself have started projects only to lose interest and wind up selling them, most always at a loss of time and dollars. Now that I'm older (and I hope wiser) I thought we should p*** on a few tips that could help a younger generation of HAMBers choose their future projects more wisely.

I realize now that my biggest problem with projects has always been money or lack of it. It seems I can always afford to buy the project car but onforeseen things just seem to get in the way of having the money to finish the project. Most times when the money ran out, so did the interest. The longer the project sat around, the less interested I was.

Another thing that would cause me to lose interest was finding major problems within the project that I somehow overlooked in the beginning. Maybe I just always took my rose-colored gl***es with me each time I went to look at a potential project and never saw serious problems ahead.

Don't get me wrong...I've had some neat cars and trucks over the years, but I've also had some projects that never matured into the cool ride they could have been.

Am I the only one this has ever happened to?

 

Nope, same story here. Also have car A.D.D. and get sick of a project midway through.

I also kind of have admiration for 'potential'. Once the car is done, I lose attraction to it, and all the bolt-ons and wheel changes never scratch that itch for something else.

 

for the "average guy" with [ a garage, basic tools,skills, and means] i always advise to buy a project that is a "two out of three" meaning; decent body,decent mechanicals, needs an interior, or decent body, decent interior and needs mechanical work, or decent mechanicals, decent interior needs body work.etc. this seams to keep the project within reach.

 

The last 10% is the most expensive, if you can't do it yourself.....I've only had a couple of cars that I considered "done'....interior is the sticking point for me, and I'm considering buying a sewing machine and some books.....that way, I'll have no excuse not to have a finished car, even if it isn't perfect.

Oh yeah, that A.D.D thing strikes me every couple of years too....

 

I think that is key! I think a lot of people pick up things way out of their skill level. I have done it in the past and learned from it. I have picked up a lot of bike jobs from people who "dont have the time to finish it" which usually translates into, "I have no idea what I am doing".

 

often times people can afford the project car but then somehow can't afford to build it, but then somehow can afford another project which they then can't afford to build. and the vicious circle goes on

 

Vision. If you can't see the car finished it never will be.
Skills. if it's beyond yours, you will loose interest quickly. Not to say you can't learn as you go (I do) but how man projects are a craigslist right now? How many 40's and 50's cars are rusting away in back yards with no tops because someone "tried" a chop?
Get it running AND stopping first. Having your project capable of running under it's own power will make a huge difference in how long you stay interested. I have seen so many projects with immaculate paint and interiors that can't move under their own power left in garages for years. If it runs, you want to drive it; you'll finish it. If it's out of sight in the garage so it doesn't get dirty, you'll loose interest.
Build it for you. Screw all the nay-sayers and everyone who like to police your build. Get your vision, and then build it. It's cool to ask for opinions, but when you set out to build a car for acceptance, you're going to loose interest quicker than you gain acceptance.

 

To get a full blown project done, you have to be obsessed with it. Like a mad man.

 

Vision is a good thought. I think too, that just as we have a limited amount of money, enthusiasm is finite, and has to be managed, and budgeted as well.

 

And then Bishop posts that. P***ion does overcome a lot of obstacles.

 

Since I, and many, many others here on this forum, have this same affliction, you'll find, for the most part, that those with a big place to store things will have many projects, those with less space have to be more choosey as to what they put their time and money into. Sometimes we all "bite off more than we can chew" and end up moving a project rather than build it. Some we buy to flip, others we buy to fix and keep (or so we think) - this all happens until you realize that father time is catching up on you. That means you have more projects than talent, money, or time will ever allow you to finish - mostly it's about time or money - you can have one or the other but rarely both.

I've let some really, really good cars go - finished or projects, take your pick: a beautiful 39 Ford delux coupe w/hot flattie - went to pay for a semester of college for the daughter; 40 Ford p-up street rod - super truck - another college payment; 31 Chrysler coupe - just way too good/nice/stock to make into a hot rod - sold it; 62 409 car I built - it made way for my first 40 Ford. The list can go on and on for me and everyone else who has ever built a car. Did I make any money on these things? Some yes, some no but the bottom line is that the more I did myself and not bought time or parts for, the more money I made but the more "time" it took.

So, I resorted to building one car at a time - get the car, pick a theme, stick with it and complete it. My avatar took 7 years to complete. But, I always have the next car "in the works", meaning if parts deals come available for the next car, I'll get them if they fit my theme. Sometimes the theme evolves because of the parts I find - bottom line, no more than one car is being built, and I collect good deals for the next. I have one now that I'm about to start - 40 Ford p-up w/a hot 4.3V6/5-speed, built in the early 60s style. I'm no where near a pro builder nor so I have the talent as so many display here but I have that mental picture I intend to duplicate in steel.

One final thing - I never have all my cars apart at the same time and I never take a running car apart unless I have another one to drive. It's all about the driving, the thrill of it having been built/modified/themed yourself - your own creation of thought, will, talent, and sprirt.

 

Haha, very true.
Usually they finance that next car from selling the first one.

 

Bishop/Belair - you are both so, so right on!

 

All of the above.

Life gets in the way for most of us. The kids activities, chores around the house, work and for some travel for work. Other interests beside cars. That might seem odd to some but the most boring people I know are the ones with only one hobby or interest.

Cash flow has been an issue at times when trying to get the build done with limited funds in the budget. right now I pretty well have all the parts I need to keep me busy for the next six months and have a new rolling ch***is with the engine and trans in place and the body work ready for finish work without spending more than pocket change in that time period. Having the energy to do it might be an issue though. I can't seem to stay as enthused as I could 30 years ago when I would work all day and then work on the truck several hour every night and all weekend.

For some guys it is changing plans all too often when the project is 3/4 finished. I've got three sheds full of left overs from changed plans. that stuff needs to be sorted out and hauled to a couple of swap meets this spring and converted to parts and pieces for the truck and roadster.

Some guys are so busy buying up future projects to stash away that they don't have any available cash to work on the one they are working on.

For others it may be "**** happens". I went and borrowed the cash to buy a chopped A sedan body a year ago and before the loan got approved my wife's car took a dump and had to be replaced, yep with the money borrowed to buy the body. The car that should be my daily driver needs two long weekends worth of work right now so that I can drive it to work and cut my gas bill in half. That will free up 100 a month or more for the hot rod projects.

The main thing is to work on the project when it is fun to work on it an not when it becomes work to work on it. Building a hot rod or custom shouldn't be drudgery and even s****ing grease and undercoating should be interesting because you get to see what was under it and not a drudge job to be dreaded.

 

I find I have to have another project waiting to get my *** moving on the present one.
I finished the Merc. cause I had the Aero Cp waiting, then kind of went sour on the Aero Cp. so I bought a Lincoln to chop up now I'm back working on the Aero Cp. to get at the Lincoln.
Does any of this make sense ?

 

Getting the kind of car (THE ONE) that you really want to start with helps,instead of waisting your time and money on others.

 

For me its about what i could do now to the project with what i got in hand.And that detours me from finishing the other projects.So they start pyleing up until i look at one and go damn i can fix this on that one now that i have this done on that one.Oh **** here it goes agin got to get to the shop!!!!lol....

 

Projects that are finished are CARS. Im distracted by al sorts of ****. Sometimes i dont want to work on a car, i want to make a knife or yard art, or build a bike.

 

Simple for me. Auomotive A.D.D. I'm a good month into my current project, and already thinking about the fourth one after this. If I don't get them done quick I loose interest.

 

It's hard enough to stay focused on one project. But if you add 3 or 4 more to it and customer work, it's easy to see how things never get finished.
Stay focused, one at a time. Easier for me to say than do.
Larry T

 

Guess none of you guys have read my 5 year build thread then...and no, the thread isn't five years long, it began on 1 -26 - 2009...but the car IS FINISHED and drivable, as you'll see on the last page...

Go here to see all of it:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build

R-

 

I have had a project or two fall by the way side. But there are some things that help to keep one on track.

First thing on my list everything needs to be rebuilt. OK I'm not a pessimist. I go at everything whether it is a carb or a car as though it will need a complete overhaul before it is up to usable condition. More often than not this is not the case but when it is I am not discouraged.

Second I know that somewhere along the way money is going to get tight. I buy what I can when I have money. When I don't have money I have something to work with. I always save something that doesn't require money but is for the most part elbow grease to get done for dire emergency. That way I always have something that I can do to keep me moving.

Third thing I can suggest is that once you get past your initial design/desire stages do not look at the entire project at once. You will get overwhelmed. Divide it into attainable goals. One thing at a time, that you can get done and see some progress. Try and plan things that you can see that you have gotten something accomplished.

Last major thing is remain flexible. Maybe in the beginning you want to graft some fins on it or use a specific drive train. But down the road when it comes to practical application that just isn't going to happen. Don't be afraid to modify your plans a little to keep the project alive. Maybe that high zoot power plant isn't going to fly but you have one that will do you just as well, maybe those fins look dumb as hickory or they just are not going to fit, find a solution that you do like just as well or can live with and continue on.

 

And or build a complete project for the wife first. That's what I did to prove I had the right stuff ( mentally). Then once finished with hers, ( she's gotta let you do yours) it was like I'm was on a mission from GOD!

Now, here I embark on #3 and the cycle continues for nothing less than success! I just seem to keep us short on funds every now and then, but she knows where the $$$ are going and where to find me...

 

When I was young, I quickly moved from start to finish, from project to project. I spent my life from age 21 to 55 spending a great deal of my time in third world ****holes, and my car involvement was limited to VWs, a brand new 1970 Duster 340, and my 1962 Triumph TR4. I retired at 55, and had money and thought I had time. I plodded through one AV8 build..sold it unfinished..and began collecting parts for another build. Other interests..Katrina Recovery, grand kids and travel with my wife seemed to take the forefront. I have 90% of parts and near 0% motivation.

As I complete my 66th lap around the sun, I am becoming very introspective and am letting reality rule. We need to downsize...real property and possessions. I am going to sell it all....well not my tools..and admit that I am now an observer who understands and loves hot rodding, but doesn't build anymore. I might even buy a finished hot rod...a first for me.

 

After I get one running and driving I tend to loose interest. I never enjoy "the drive" as much as "the build"

 

With my project, it's all about "time". I have the skill level, I have the tools, I have the parts"! With two small boys (a 3 year old and an eight month old) my life is very busy. The boys are too young to get involved yet. (Too much rusty metal, dangerous chemicals and sharp tools in the garage.) And quite frankly; I'd rather spend time with the boys! I am seriously thinking of trading my '29 Chevy and all the hot rod parts i've gathered for a running/driving '40s-'50s car, so I can have my cake and eat it too!

 

that right there is the biggest thing i have learned, i used to settle for something that wasnt exactlly what i wanted ,but bought it because it was cheaper, and never ended up beign happy, or buying a rougher car to fix up because it was cheaper, only to spend more money on it getting it in shape than i would of if i payed a lil more and bought a better project in the first place.
now i try and buy the best project avaliable even if that means spending more(within reason),because it makes the whole experience so much better,and when you get done the car will be that much better.

i try to 'usually' finish a project,but sometimes financial things come up and ill have to sell to keep from losing the house!


from what i have seen being in this hobby for most my life is that

some people are project collectors ,the enjoyment to them is owning the project and dreaming of all the posibilitys.

some people are builders and sometimes sell as soon as they get one done,to start the next project

and some people buy them done and drive the wheels off.


usually they are not one in the same.

 

It all comes down to time and money, but money is the biggest factor. I am working on a car that I bought as someone elses uncompleted project. It is pretty far along, but as I mess with it, I make lists of parts I need and things I need to do/change. If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy all the parts today, but I don't. Pick away at the parts list when I see deals pop up and put them on as I have time.

I like to break the project up into simpler tasks to keep the process moving. Right now I am focused on getting my engine running and only need fuel lines, oil filter and wiring. After I know it runs, then I am going to work on the radiator setup and generator. While hunting parts I found a deal on upholstery so I spent my generator money on that. It just means I have to wait a little while longer. Slow and steady.
________
Volcano Vaporizer

 

With me it more the enjoyment of the HUNT.

 

projects go in phazes. The hunt, mock up, rough out, and completion.
Everyone likes the hunt, or finding thier dream car. The mock up allows us to envision the finished product. This is a very self motivating phaze with a lot of satisfaction. Next comes roughing it out. This is a little more tedious and consumes a large portion of the money. Most people get lost somewhere in this phaze due to the cost and lack of visible progress. If you are detirmined enough to make it through the rough out, then you have the last and most often avoided phaze, completion. This is often skipped all together and the car falls into the dreaded Rat Rod status. The way i see it the first 2 are fun and the last 2 are a job that needs to get done.